She calls it one of the hardest decision she’s ever had to make. Karin Petrin announced her resignation from her town manager position to the town council Monday night.

“This is a job that I’ve enjoyed because I’ve been able to work with a whole slue of people wonderful people with a lot of energy and a lot of drive and a lot of passion just like I have,” says Petrin.

Petrin started in the position this past June and just came to the end of her probationary period..she wrote a letter to community members about her decision..saying that “the probationary period has ended and the Mars Hill Town Council and I have mutually agreed that this is not a good fit.”

Petrin says, “This job is going to be hard to leave because I think I really found my passion. Really my passion is in helping people, helping communities, I’m a community oriented person where I really enjoy watching communities grow.”

In her letter, Petrin writes that “It has been a privilege to assist community volunteers with collaborative projects intent to add beauty to the town…” including bringing a Rosella’s restaurant to Mars Hill, bringing in an acupuncture clinic that’s currently being constructed, and starting discussion about a downtown revitalization committee. NewsSource 8 reached out to all of the town council members for comment on Petrin’s resignation and none of them returned our phone calls. Former Mars Hill town councilor Diane Libby attends every town meeting she can..and says after last night’s, she’s left with concerns.

Libby says, “there’s been no word as to what the forward plan is and I don’t believe this resignation was totally unknown to the council so I’m a little disappointed that it wasn’t a little more clearly defined..what next?”

In her letter, Petrin also offered to complete the budget and help with the transition to a replacement town manager. The end of her letter thanks community members for being willing to work with her and to give her a chance for the past six months.